Sunday, June 14, 2009

This blog will no longer be a comprehensive listing of Pittsburgh art events but the good news is that there's a new blog which is doing a great job of covering the scene: Bittersweet Harvest. To have an event listed there email the info to bsharvest(AT)hotmail.com. The url is http://bittersweetharvest.blogspot.com/ .

I'm not sure what this blog will become. Perhaps in the fall it will re-emerge.

Join the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Art + Technology Initiative for the openingof its second annual Art + Technology Exhibition and the BurghBot Project. Tocelebrate the synergy that exists between the art and tech communities inPittsburgh, the Council is partnering with the James Gallery and CREATE Lab tocreate this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

2009 Art + Technology Exhibition:This year's show features more than 50 pieces of artwork in all media,by 37 regional artists.

The BurghBot Project:The first ever event of its kind, The BurghBot project showcases the roboticartwork of ten East Coast artists, operating at a true intersection of art and technology. Each artist hascreated a unique interactive, artistic adaptation of CREATE Lab’s robotic frameworks (seen in a previouslife as Robot 250).

REGISTRATION: Register now for a chance to win an "Essential Pittsburgh Arts Prize Package” – a giftthat includes complimentary tickets to many of Pittsburgh’s most illustrious Arts venues including -- TheMattress Factory, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Quantum Theatre, The Pittsburgh Ballet,Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre -- a package valued at more than $300![Registration in Advance Recommended at http://www.15minutesgallery.org/ ]

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What a week for art in our beautiful city! Friday begins the Penn Ave Un-blurred art walk. I have a solo exhibit of my work on Trees open to the public this FRIDAY from 6-9pm at 5427 Penn Ave Pittsburgh 15206. Stop in and see me!

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The artist states: "The desire for freedom, escape, and exploration influence the narrative of my oil paintings. In my representations, I examine the possibilities of utopia and dystopia through the escapist tendency to create a parallel realism. The crafted pictorial environment is meant to emphasize a disconnection to a tactile reality, where by ideas and experiences are confused, allowing the viewer to assemble a personal narrative. By doing so, the work evokes a feeling of uneasiness through improbability; this imaginary voyage should feel familiar and sublime, filled with imminent danger."

"My theater-like arrangements of figures in landscape are placed in situations of anxiety and peril, intervened by trace elements of other-worldliness. During the course of these works I have examined human natures, social and institutional conventions. While my reflection was approached through escapism related to utopian and dystopian philosophy, I have tried not to align with one thought or the other, but choose to respond to both concerning the nature of free will."

"This where my journey begins and ends through a quest for some taste of free will. While I choose iconography and situations of peril with great significance to myself, these specific choices need not strictly inform the viewer in their interpretation of the work of art."

Exhibit runs through July 24th, 2009.

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Myths and legends, whether the Great Flood or the Fall of the Titans, are integral to working societies. A creation story seems to be both a source and product of communal solidarity. Given that, it takes serious creative ambition to go ahead and just make one up. In From Out of This Planet Earth, now on view at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, artist Chris Kardambikis has done just that.

From Out of This Planet Earth continues through June 21. Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, 6300 Fifth Ave., Shadyside. 412-361-0873

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Hope all is well with you.I know the summer is busy and there is a lot of great stuff going on in Pittsburgh; I have a solo show coming up, and you are invited.Its new and never seen before paintings of friends living near and far. It’s an experiment in distance and interconnectivity, portraiture and painting techniques.The show is Friday night June 12th. 7:30pm to 11pm at the Rex Theater on the Southside. There will be snacks, drinks and a live band. A $10 ticket is required to see the band (Ruff River Band) but my show in the lobby is FREE. Bring some friends and come see.

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moxie DaDA gallery is proud to host artist Connie Cantor’s second solo exhibition with us, “SCRIBBLING FOR DUMMIES”, JUNE 6 – 20, 2009. You are invited to a special opening reception this Saturday June 6, 2009 from 6:00-9:00pm. As always, this reception is free and open to the public. Connie has been exploring with lines and unconscious marks to produce a dialogue of which cannot be heard. Her new series challenges us to use our own intuition by offering an interactive “scribbling” – making our own marks and creating our own dialogues. These marks come from an inner dialogue and expression… uncovering patterns and conversations within our selves.

Connie Cantor's current work explores the freedom and fluidity of "not knowing." Working in dialogue with the intuitive mark, Cantor gives language to an alphabet of effortless line and form. The work is random, playful, obsessive, informed by the inherent fertility of movement stripped of plan. "I am drawn to the strength and validity of accident." says Cantor. "There is an intelligence here that cannot be preconceived—a wiser voice I have chosen to trust and honor. The deeper the surrender of outcome, the more vital the conversation."

Mark your calenders and start assembling your team for the scribbling event of the year, "Scribblefest" on Saturday June 20 at 7:00pm. Stay tuned for details, as follow-up e-mail will be sent again before the event. See you soon!--

... Like what's posted on this blog and the website http://www.pghgalleries.com/ ? This is a volunteer effort so donations of any size are welcome which can be made via paypal here . Also at that link anyone interested in purchasing banner space, which includes placement on this blog and the PghGalleries.com website, can sign up there. Thanks! Rick Byerly...